e go up."

"To be sure. Folks like to see a paying improvement."

"Well, about this property business, mother; do you think we can find those
missing papers?" went on Ralph, after a pause.

"I am sure I hope so, my son. But where to start to look for them, I
haven't the least idea."

"We might advertise for them."

"Yes, we might, but I doubt if it would do any good. If any one around here
had them they would give them to us without the advertising."

"They would unless they hoped to make something out of it," replied Ralph,
suddenly, struck with a new idea.

"Make something, Ralph? What do you mean."

"Perhaps the one holding the papers intends to keep them and some day claim
the land as his own."

"Oh, I do not believe any one would be so dishonest," cried Mrs. Nelson.

"I do, mother. There are just as mean folks in Westville as anywhere else."

"But they would not dare to defraud us openly."

"Some folks would dare do anything for money," replied Ralph Nelson, with a
decided nod of his curly head.

Ralph was the only son of his widowed mother. His father, Randolph Nelson,
had been in former years a boatman on Keniscot Lake. When the swinging
bridge had been built between Westville and Eastport, Mr. Nelson had been
appointed bridge tender.

The old boatman had occupied his position at the bridge, taking tolls and
opening the structure for passing vessels for exactly two years. Then, one
blustery and rainy day he had slipped into the water, and before he could
manage to save himself, had been struck by the bow of a steamboat and
seriously hurt.

Mr. Nelson had been taken from the water almost immediately after being
wounded, and all that could be done was done for him, but without avail.
He was unconscious, and only came to himself long enough to bid his weeping
wife and only child a tender farewell. Thirty-six hours after the accident
he was dead, and his funeral occurred three days later.

For a time Mrs. Nelson and Ralph were nearly prostrated by the calamity
that had taken place. But stern necessity soon compelled them to put aside
their grief. Although Mr. Nelson owned a small cottage close to the bridge,
he had left but a small amount--less than a hundred dollars--in cash behind
him. They must work to support themselves.

Ralph's father had been appointed bridge tender for a period of three
years, and the son applied for the balance of his parent's term. His
application was objected to by Squi